Week 5's in the books and so are our ballots -- let's recap exactly why people won what they won.

Jay Cutler got a vote because even though he lost, the Bears offensive line is embarrassing. But Ben Roethlisberger, who plays behind an inept line as well, got more votes for his ability to play through injury and do what Ben do.

On defense, beating the Eagles is still considered impressive apparently, because George Wilson (and Nick Barnett) were mentioned the most and pick up our Eye on Defense awards.

Sebastian Janikowski, aka the Polish Cannon, was nearly a unanimous selection for Eye on Special Teams -- he was one Nick Novak vote away from sweeping the award this week, and it's understandable given he bombed three fifty-yard field goals.

For Eye on Coaching, things were much different -- Hue Jackson was the emotional favorite heading in, but Jim Harbaugh's business-like beatdown of the Bucs garnered him enough support to pick up the award.

Jay Cutler, QB, BearsHe didn't the win game. His statistics weren't great but it's rare to see a quarterback get the living hell beat of him like that and keep fighting. Fighting. That's not a word commonly associated with Cutler especially since half of league went on Twitter and trashed his toughness during that debacle of a playoff game last season. The only guy I saw get beat up more was Mark Sanchez against Baltimore. Cutler and Matt Forte almost single-handedly kept the Bears in the game.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, SteelersIt took a sprained left foot to the franchise quarterback and injuries up and down the roster, but the Steelers' offense -- and Roethlisberger -- looked crisp and efficient against the Titans. Big Ben finished with five touchdowns, and 24 of 34 passing, with many of the completions coming on three-step drops. Funny how that works.

Pete Prisco

Will Brinson

Jahvid Best, RB, LionsBest ran for163 yards on 12 carries, including an 88-yard touchdown run against the Bears Monday night that helped give the Lions a 21-10 win. He averaged 13.6 per carry. Best has big-play ability that compliments the Lions' wide-open passing game.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis"The Law Firm" was supposed to lose carries to Stevan Ridley heading into the Jets game. So much for that -- Ellis won on summary judgment against Rex Ryan's defense, running for 136 yards and two TDs on 27 carries, using a punishing physicality to help the Patriots seal a crucial division victory.

Josh Katzowitz

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, SteelersWe got word that Roethlisberger and his bad foot were limping around the locker room before the game. But after throwing for five touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s blowout win, Roethlisberger was either faking or it was just another “too tough to know any better” performances. He also did a nice job of adjusting in order to make up for a beat-up offensive line.

Eye on Defense Award

Freeman

Wilson

Carlos Rogers, CB, 49ersHe returned a Tampa Bay interception 31 yards for a touchdown. It was a good play but the truth is that entire 49ers defense deserved the award. They gave up just three points and you can see the 49ers start to take on the no-nonsense personality of the coach. This is what the 49ers had hoped to do when the organization hired Mike Singletary.

Nick Barnett, LB, BillsHe intercepted Vick twice, including a pick-six. Of course, beating the Eagles isn't quite as prestigious as it was a month ago, but given the Bills' recent history, I'm guessing they won't quibble.

Prisco

Brinson

George Wilson, S, BillsWilson doesn't get a lot of due, but he should. He was all over the field against the Eagles. He had 11 tackles, three passes defensed, an interception and a tackle for loss. He was everywhere in the Bills upset of the Eagles.

Jared Allen, DE, VikingsAllen did what he's done all year -- disrupt the passer. But this time, the Vikings finally won. Allen harassed Kevin Kolb into an absolutely horrible game, sacking him twice, picking up three tackles, three QB hits and recovering a fumble. Give Minny's D credit for finally holding a lead.

Katzowitz

George Wilson, Nick Barnett, BillsThe Bills just keep on winning, and Sunday’s victory was a credit to their D. Wilson was all over the field with 11 tackles and a pick, and Barnett returned a Vick interception for a TD and then picked Vick again in the fourth quarter as the Eagles were driving for a potential game-tying touchdown.

Eye on Special Teams Award

Freeman

Wilson

Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raidersy KJanikowski tied an NFL record with three field goals of 50 yards or more. Not bad for a former fat boy party dude. Few players not named Vick have improved their public image over the years better than Janikowski. He's always had a strong leg but these days he's more disciplined and his accuracy and ability to boot long kicks makes him a terrific scoring threat.

Sebastian Janikowski, K, RaidersHe was 4 for 4 on field-goal attempts, none closer than 42 yards. Janikowski also converted from 55, 54 and 50. We almost expected him to run on the field and intercept Matt Schaub in the end zone on the last play of the game, too.

Prisco

Brinson

Nick Novak, K, ChargersWhen the Chargers lost Nate Kaeding for the season on opening day with a knee injury, there was great concern about the kicking game. Novak has alleviated those fears. He made all five of his field goals against Denver and hasn't missed this season.

Sebastian Janikowski, K, RaidersAs awesome as the Polish Cannon's headshot is, I might just name him special teams player of the week every week from here on out. But he deserved it in Week 5, accounting for 13 of the Raiders 25 points with a 4-4 day, including three field goals longer than 50 yards each.

Katzowitz

Sebastian Janikowski, K, RaidersHe kicked a 54-yard field goal and followed that up with a 55-yarder. Then, one from 50 and one from 42. It was fitting on this day in particular because he had been selected in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. By Al Davis.

Eye on Coaching Award

Freeman

Wilson

Jim Harbaugh, 49ersThe 49ers are 4-1. Repeat: the formerly sorry ass 49ers and their formerly sorry quarterback Alex Smith are 4-1. Harbaugh has been able to make Smith into a viable quarterback threat. Repeat: Alex Smith is good. How'd that happen?: Harbaugh, that's how.

Jim Schwartz, LionsThe Lions are 5-0, including Monday night's win over the Bears in their biggest game in more than a decade. For some perspective, Detroit won five games in a season or fewer six times during Matt Millen's eight-year reign of terror.

Prisco

Brinson

Hue Jackson, RaidersWith the death of owner Al Davis hanging over this team, Jackson got his team ready to upset a good Houston team on the road. That takes keeping the focus. The Raiders are playing much better this season, and Jackson deserves the credit.

Leslie Frazier, VikingsGood on Frazier for holding onto a lead and winning his first game as a full-time head coach in Minnesota -- Frazier's tenure with the Vikings started off ... interestingly, with the Vikings blowing a slew of double-digit leads. Sunday was a critical win for Frazier and the Vikes.

Katzowitz

Jim Harbaugh, 49ersI thought about giving this award to Hue Jackson, just because of the emotion of the weekend with Al Davis’ death, but the 49ers are 4-1 and coming off a 48-3 destruction of pretty decent Buccaneers squad. You read that right: 4-1 and 48-3. That’s on Harbaugh.

The deal is worth a total of $7.05 million, including $4.75 million in base salaries over the three years.

Wilson is not a name player around the NFL, but his productivity as an eighth defender in the box makes him Buffalo’s best run-defending defensive back. That said, he was paid either modest starter money or big-time backup money because he’s by no means a star. (A large portion of his tackles come downfield.)

One of the most interesting moments of Thursday night’s season opener was the “we are one” salute of solidarity that the Saints and Vikings players performed before kickoff. We may have to come up with an official title for this gesture – and not just because “the ‘we are one’ salute of solidarity” is a tad wordy.

Though the gesture was not organized league-wide, it’s now been seen by all, which means it’s almost certain that players from the other 30 teams will partake in the act this Sunday and Monday. The question is, will we see it every week for the rest of this season?

Mike Golic of ESPN pointed out that solidarity is great, but it’s also unnecessary in this case because, unlike in 1987, the players don’t have to worry about crossing picket lines (they’re facing a lockout, not a strike).

If you want to read some hyperbole on the matter that’s overboard to the point of humorous, here’s a gem from Bills safety George Wilson, who is on the NFLPA’s board of representatives. Wilson, sharing his thoughts on the Saints’ and Vikings’ gesture with ESPN’s Tim Graham, said "It was a true acknowledgment from one team to an opponent 'Yeah, we're about to embark on 60 minutes of hell, of physical competition, aggression and passion, but before we do that, we're one team, one locker room.' It was gladiator-like, almost."

Gladiator like? Did gladiators even have unions?

Right now, the players are getting some positive press for the whole thing. But that could change if they continue to show solidarity every week for the next five months. It will be interesting to see how public opinion plays out here.